Wrapping up the International Year of Forests

As we come to the end of 2011 - the International Year of Forests - we look at what’s been achieved in securing the enormous, irreplaceable contribution that the world’s forests make to the survival of biodiversity and human society.

From international policy changes to school and community projects, this year has seen an unprecedented level of attention placed on our forests, and the challenges facing them.

Extracting the value of forests

In the extreme west Amazon region, on the border with Peru and Bolivia, IUCN has helped strengthen community-based forest cooperatives that are improving the incomes of local people and securing forests for the future.

Tackling unsustainable fuelwood harvesting in eastern Europe

In many countries of eastern Europe and Russia, forests are coming under increasing pressure from fuel wood harvesting. In some places, this harvest exceeds legal quotas and threatens the capacity of forests to regenerate.

Sentries of the coast

In the Indus Delta of Pakistan, Siddiq Roonjha talks about his recent battles with cyclones as his home was flooded. Siddiq sees one big reason for these disasters—the vast areas of coastal mangroves which grew in a combination of saline and freshwater have depleted over time. He knows that planting mangroves is the only way forward; if protected and nurtured, the forest will one day be tall enough to shield his family.

Improving forest law across national borders

Sheila Abed, founder and Executive President of the Paraguayan Environmental Law and Economics Institute (IDEA) and Chair of IUCN’s Commission on Environmental Law, talks about her work on strengthening transboundary forest law.

Discovering the deep seas

IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice.